Feeling Electric...

You know when someone famous gets married, how it seems like people come out of the woodwork to catch a glimpse? Well, this wedding was no different...except the couple isn't actually famous. You would have thought they were though, by the hundreds of people who came to wave to Jane as she arrived to the church! I guess you don't have to be famous to be a total legend...

I can't tell you how fun this wedding was - they pulled out all the stops for their guests, and the party went on for days - yes, DAYS. I guess when you have the wedding on your own property, you can kinda do whatever you want, and that is exactly what they did. We are so excited to share it with you today - Enjoy!

xx
Maria

Dancing In The Wind...

"And even when we become stardust, we will still be dancing in the wind together..."

Today is the day for Libby and Ryan's full film, and guys, it's magic. I don't really even know what to say, other than please watch it - it will make you feel happy, it will make you laugh, it will almost certainly make you cry, and it will reaffirm your belief in love and forever.

This is a beautiful story, filled with beautiful people - not just on the outside, either. Weddings are about the people, about embracing the day - everything that happens - the silly less than perfect moments, the word stumbles, the happy accidents, the real tears, the rawness of the emotions, and the absolutely pure unimaginable joy felt by two people.

Ok, I won't say another word, just press play.

password is: studio 1208


xx
Maria

Blog Feature - Bridal Musings Best of 2016...

Happy Freaking New Year, Everyone!!

Wow, 2016 has been a doozy... so much good stuff happened, a lot of weird stuff, and some just downright shitty stuff too. I am really trying to get it together enough to do a personal post to round out 2016, but until then, I wanted to share what one of our favourite (and let's be honest, one of the best) wedding blogs out there had to say about their faves of the year. Thank God someone has their shiz together!

It is always really extra awesome when members of the wedding community recognize your work as some of the best out there, and to get chosen as one of the best in 4 out of 5 of their categories is next level awesome. It always feels like you didn't do enough every year, like you might suck at your job more than you realize and that this is the year you will fall apart and lose it all, but then something like this happens, and you think to yourself, well, I guess we will survive, and people still like us. Phew!

Thank you to Elizabeth and Claire from Bridal Musings for always believing in our work, and for giving us the great honor of being among some of your favorite wedding visual goodness from 2016 - we are humbled and stoked!! Here's to 2017 and more badassery! Click on the links below to see the full posts, and check out what the fuss is all about!

Best of BM 2016: Weddings

Best of BM 2016: Wedding Films

Best of BM 2016: Most Unique Ideas

Best of BM 2016: Styled Shoots

xx
Maria

It's Not Bitter, Just Oh So Sweet...

Anna and Johnny. How do I explain these people? Well, it's easy... the most electric, fun, wild, generous, badass, chic, amazing people ever. That is no joke or exaggeration either - they are incredible, and the people around them are just the same. Never a dull or boring moment with them, and they want everyone to have fun, not just themselves. We love them for this (and so many more reasons)!

Their wedding was in France - the South of France, Provence to be exact. It was pretty much friends only, outside of the small handful of family in attendance, and this wedding reflected everything that they are above. We had the time of our lives celebrating the time of their lives - we never wanted it to end. This also marked the first destination wedding that we brought our whole Studio 1208 squad to (more about that in another post to come), and they smashed it, BIG TIME!

So, the only thing left to do is watch...you won't be disappointed. And her dress... holy moly!


xx
M

UNICEF #EndChildMarriage

Everyday, millions of little girls from all over the world are forced to marry adult men. Many of them will die in childbirth, from sexual trauma, or abuse.

We are so proud and honored to be a part of this powerful ‪#‎EndChildMarriage‬ campaign with UNICEF and BridalMusings to help shed light on this disturbing subject. We made a powerful film to help spread the word, and are really hoping that it will go viral.



So today, on International Women's Day, we are the voice of the voiceless, and we hope you will be too. Please share this with your friends and family to help spread the word. Can you imagine sending your own daughters, sisters or nieces into the arms of a 40 year old man at just 11 or 12 years old?

To learn more about this and how you can help, please visit the full write up over on BridalMusings

A huge thank you to all of the talented creatives who came together to make this project happen:

Art Direction: Elizabeth & Claire of Bridal Musings / Assistant Stylist: Gemma Hallett / Shoot Coordinator & Stylist: Always Andri Wedding Design / Photographer: Claire Graham Photography / Videography: Studio 1208 / Video Music by SuRie & Nick Bentley of Studio 1208 / Venue: Nonsuch Mansion / Special Thanks To: Coco Wedding Venues / Stationery: Kate Ruth Romey / Cake Designer: Olofson Design / Wedding Dress: Rock the Frock Bridal / Suit: Alexandra Wood Bespoke / Bridal Accessories: Kelly Spence / Florist: Elizabeth Marsh Floral Design / Linens: Table To Dine For / Hair and Makeup: Jo Irvin Love Hair / Aisle Runner & Chair Covers: Stress Free Hire / Our fantastic models who we could not have done this without!

x
Maria + Nick

Take A Trip To Mexico...

GUYS! This wedding is so sweet. A very intimate wedding in Mexico that is so thoughtful and well suited to these two people. Both living their lives in the spotlight, it was almost extra special that they almost ran away to get married in front of a handful of their closest friends. In that company, they truly came alive - they whole-heartedly connected with this event and most importantly, with each other.

We are so lucky to get to go on these magical trips. Not only because the destinations are often what dreams are made of, but because we leave there with some of the richest life experiences, and the coolest new friends. We get to tell stories of people experiencing the best that life can give, and we not only get to watch, we get to be a part of it.

I am so proud to call these people friends, and so honored that they chose us to tell their very unique and special story. Watch their full film below, and if you missed Eden and Ryan's trailer, you can watch it HERE

To view the film, simply type: 'studio 1208' below


x
Maria

What If...

"What if you didn't settle? What if you took your time, invested in your own development, met your own high standards, and waited for the partner who exceeded your expectations more and more everyday? What if it was possible to have it all?"

Jason and Kerri are the dream couple - they melted my heart from their first email, and I fell deeper into love with them when Kerri and I had an hour long phone conversation. They eloped on the coast in California, in front of their closest, and their love for each other is so abundantly clear. They didn't settle. They invested, they waited, and they now have it all.


xx
Maria

Don't Stop The Beat...

So after a cold, wet winter, what better way to feel a little warmer than with Greg and Emma's Lake Maggiore wedding. We showed you their trailer a little while back, but are stoked to share this with you as our first post of 2016!

These two are best friends with a lot of love sprinkled on top, always joking with each other, and making any situation fun. Their closest friends and family are exactly the same way, and that meant that the party we had (in the venue's underground secret cellar) was well, epic. We all danced pretty hard that night!

They recently made the move back to England from Italy, and while Sandbach might not have quite as much Italian flair, I know both we and all your people are super happy to see you both back home. So without any more delay, here is Greg and Emma's full wedding film. Andiamo!

To view the film, simply type: 'studio 1208' below


Nick

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To The Beat Of My Drum...

Oh these two people. This wedding, these guests, that dinner time surprise... I just love them, and hope we get to be friends for a long, long time. This is their wedding film - complete with emotion, laughs, good music, epic dance moves, beauty and sweetness. Thank you, Susie and Mark for making us a part of something so great!

To view the film, simply type: 'studio 1208' below


And if you missed their trailer, make sure to give it a watch HERE!

x
Maria

Catch My Vibe Tonight...

Jaime and Blake are just fun people - you know when you are around certain people, and you know that by association, you will end up on some kind of an adventure, or maybe even a little trouble...that's these guys. They grab life by the balls, and I like that. Jaime is also one of the funniest girls I have ever met, and I found it hard to do my job - I wanted to just hang out with her the entire time. Blake is a little more mysterious and quiet than Jaime, but they are a perfect match, and major props to Blake for his getting the girl tactics, and that Paris video...OMG.

So, this wedding pretty much rocked - destinations are always special, but it was just so cool to be in a castle on the banks of Loch Ness, watching for the famed monster, and dancing the night away. The rain fell, but no one cared. Oh, and for the record, anytime there is a Whisky tasting at a wedding, it is just rad.

Enjoy!

To view the film, simply type 'studio 1208' below:

x
Maria

Electric Feel...

Fred and Jess lived in the same apartment complex for almost 4 years - saying hi in the elevator, smiling at each other in the stairwell. It wasn't until her very proactive and wise roommate put together a happy hour, when Fred and Jess had the first of a lifetime of great conversations. These two gorgeous people are made for each other - they are effortless and comfortable, and they have each other's back. It's easy to see when you watch this film, why they chose Portugal as their backdrop, how they would have been drawn together at that Happy Hour, and why their love will stand the test of time. We are so happy to have been a part of this beautiful story, and look forward to getting to spend lots more time with Fred, Jess and their friends in the future. I mean, we love a good party, and these people know how to bring it!

To view the film, simply type: 'studio 1208' below


x
Maria

I'm On Your Magical Mystery Ride...

Who said work romances were a bad idea? Who said long distance relationships don't work? If ever there was a couple who proved all the stereotypes wrong, it is Bradley and Louise!

Their relationship really does go to show, when you meet THAT person you will travel to the ends of the Earth to be with them (literally!). When Louise went to Australia for a year at the very early stages of their relationship, it could have easily all fizzled out, but Brad was determined that this was for real, and followed her out there just two weeks before she was due home. They experienced the world, and grew together, making the basis of the super loving and very fun relationship which they now enjoy.

So let's get to it...complete with stories about Facebook stalking and even its own Garage MC (Brad's brother), welcome to Brad and Louise's full wedding film!

To view film, type in 'studio 1208'


Nick
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You're Just My Type....

Love really does come wearing disguises. You don't expect to be just in work one night, things really slow and quiet... when all of a sudden, the man you will marry just walks right on in. Despite living in the same place, the timing had never been right for these two incredible people to meet. Greg and Emma took that 'lucky' meeting, and between a lot of laughs, a long distance relationship AND a move to Italy crafted a simply beautiful relationship.

They really are best friends, and they constantly keep each other laughing. And though they don't take things too seriously, the love they have for each other is a deep and very grounded one. They moved to Italy together (neither spoke Italian before they came), and it is that spirit of adventure, that ability to grow their story together, that makes them such a great match.

So... Andiamo! It's time for a little taste of Greg and Emma's beautiful Lake Maggiore wedding!




Nick
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Forever I See You And Me...

So a little while ago, we brought you the trailer of Matt and Alice's wonderful wedding. Now it's time to head back to that incredible day in Devon with their full wedding film! A beautiful venue, bikes, bunting, lawn games and an epic dance party all made for the perfect day for these two amazing humans. We adore them, and are so glad that we got to tell this story!

To view the film, type in "studio1208"


xx
Maria

These Days...

It is always a pretty big honour to shoot another photographer's wedding, because I think that it is kind of the ultimate in peer acknowledgement. When the other half of the couple has also been a feature writer for Wedding Ideas magazine, someone who has seen literally HUNDREDS of weddings and photographers, well that is even more special to think that they would trust us to shoot their day.

We actually knew "Matt and Alice" before they were... well, Matt and Alice. Before they had even exchanged a banter ridden email about bicycles, or met up in the unequivocal 'Mecca' of love, Crewe Railway station.... We knew them, separately. I bet there is actually very few people at this wedding that can say that!

We knew Matt when he was just a young, single, oatcake eating photographer, working out of Staffordshire. We knew Alice as the accomplished features writer for real weddings at Wedding Ideas Magazine, where we had our work featured. It has been amazing for us to watch these two fall in love... and then to get to tell the story too?! Epic.

So here goes - tears, laughter, fantastic hats, cute dogs, fairground games, bikes, some yellow trousers and a whole lot of love... and don't let the fact that Matt supports Stoke City FC ruin this trailer for you either.



Nick xx

Did I Find You Or You Find Me...

I die when I think that these two might not have had this film, and I thank God that they do. Sometimes still images just don't tell the story as beautifully and thoroughly as a film does. Sure, you can cover every single detail, document every second of the day - capturing real, beautiful moments, but I swear, nothing moves me like hearing their voices and the music, and watching the motion of it all. The human energy and excitement that a split second sometimes can't give you. All this said from a still photographer... Now don't worry, their wedding photos are totally amazeballs, but damn, this film is just EPIC!

Sunny and Wally are fucking awesome. I just don't even know how else to say it - I thought about how I could get the same sentiment across without upsetting my dad, but it just couldn't give the same impact. Sorry dad, but they are. I am so glad that they are in our lives, and so glad that we get to see another couple of rad people when we go to LA to see our crew - they are totally our crew now, and I love that.

Their wedding was incredible - in Malibu, on a helipad looking over the entire canyon. Her dress...her shoes #dropsthemic Everything was beautiful, everything was fun, and full of joy and absolute sincerity. I am so excited to share this film with everyone, especially Jeremy Seney. So go get yourself a drink, sit down, relax, and be in awe of these beautiful people!

To view, just type 'studio 1208' into the box below

xx
Maria

Cool Whipped...

A boy and a girl meet. Boy is all like, "ummm, hi, I think I love you". Girl is all like, "friend zone". Boy chases girl...girl turns boy down. Repeat. Add cool whip. #Winning.

Ok, it wasn't exactly like that, but you get the idea...

John and Alex are two of the most talented human beings on the planet - a musical genius and a straight up genius that started as friends and ended up being soulmates. They are kinda opposites in lots of ways, but they just work - actually, not just work, they are the perfect compliment to each other. Finding a good partner in life is about balance, and these two have it nailed.

They got married just outside of Nashville in a beautiful barn, and their wedding was epic. Dance moves included.


xx Maria

Started In The Bathroom Now We Here...

Tessa and Andy. Damn, these people are fucking awesome! I am still laughing about the title of this post because it is so accurate, and clever (+1 to me), that I literally can't even (-1 to me). This wedding was fantastic - the location, the people, the content - all authentic and beyond beautiful. Watching Tessa and Andy together was joyful and they really do compliment each other so much. This is love guys, and it is so much fun. May your adventures together be many, and hopefully we can be a part of another one soon!

To view it, just type studio 1208


xx
Maria

That Is Home...

First, I want to shout out one of our former grooms for bringing these two amazing people into our lives...Jeremy Seney, you are the best - thank you for bullying Wally into watching your wedding film the first time you ever met (and countless others)!

Sunny and Wally are so awesome, and our love for them runs deep. They are people that you want to be around, they are just electric, and we just can't get enough of them. Their story starts by chance, as so many do, but it isn't often that your future husband actually walks in your front door... I'm pretty sure that when Wally went to see that apartment, he didn't realize he was already home.

Their story, their venue, their people, their dog - it's all awesome. I am so proud to call them friends, and so excited to share their wedding film trailer with all of you today! And I'm pretty sure you will all die when you see their venue...I meeeeaaaannnnnnn....!

xx
Maria

I Feel Your Heartbeat Just Like Mine....

Love really does happen when you least expect it. Tessa and Andy were not looking for it, in fact almost the opposite! But... a sneaky stolen kiss in a bathroom on New Years Eve changed the course of both their lives, throwing two very different people, on contrasting paths, together forever. The funny thing is, the more they both (Tessa) refused the relationship in the early days, the stronger it actually grew. Looking at them now, it is impossible to think of them apart.

They had a simply beautiful wedding in magical Ojai, which despite being pretty close to LA, was such a wonderful departure. It took these two and their awesome group out of the flashing lights of LA (and NYC), and created a wonderful authentic destination vibe.

Surrounded by their closest friends and family from all over the world, they started their new journey together and under the stars threw all kinds of shapes on the dance floor, including one guest's front slide that is probably the greatest dance move EVER seen. No, really... it is one of legendary proportions!

Check out their trailer, and see for yourself!

Nx